SORIATANE must not be used by females who are pregnant, or who intend to become pregnant during therapy or at any time for at least 3 years following discontinuation of therapy. SORIATANE also must not be used by females who may not use reliable contraception while undergoing treatment and for at least 3 years following discontinuation of treatment. Acitretin is a metabolite of etretinate (TEGISON), and major human fetal abnormalities have been reported with the administration of acitretin and etretinate. Potentially, any fetus exposed can be affected.

Clinical evidence has shown that concurrent ingestion of acitretin and ethanol has been associated with the formation of etretinate, which has a significantly longer elimination half-life than acitretin. Because the longer elimination half-life of etretinate would increase the duration of teratogenic potential for female patients, ethanol must not be ingested by female patients of childbearing potential either during treatment with SORIATANE or for 2 months after cessation of therapy. This allows for elimination of acitretin, thus removing the substrate for transesterification to etretinate. The mechanism of the metabolic process for conversion of acitretin to etretinate has not been fully defined. It is not known whether substances other than ethanol are associated with transesterification.

Acitretin has been shown to be embryotoxic and/or teratogenic in rabbits, mice, and rats at oral doses of 0.6, 3, and 15 mg per kg, respectively. These doses are approximately 0.2, 0.3, and 3 times the maximum recommended therapeutic dose, respectively, based on a mgper-m2 comparison.

SORIATANE should be prescribed only by those who have special competence in the diagnosis and treatment of severe psoriasis, are experienced in the use of systemic retinoids, and understand the risk of teratogenicity.

Because of the teratogenicity of SORIATANE, a program called the Do Your P.A.R.T. program, Pregnancy Prevention Actively Required During and After Treatment, has been developed to educate women of childbearing potential and their healthcare providers about the serious risks associated with acitretin and to help prevent pregnancies from occurring with the use of this drug and for 3 years after its discontinuation. The Do Your P.A.R.T. program requirements are described below and program materials are available at www.soriatane.com or may be requested by calling 1-888-784-3335 (1-888-STIEFEL) (see also PRECAUTIONS).

Important Information for Women of Childbearing Potential:

SORIATANE should be considered only for women with severe psoriasis unresponsive to other therapies or whose clinical condition contraindicates the use of other treatments.

Females of reproductive potential must not be given a prescription for SORIATANE until pregnancy is excluded. SORIATANE is contraindicated in females of reproductive potential unless the patient meets ALL of the following conditions:

Must have had 2 negative urine or serum pregnancy tests with a sensitivity of at least 25 mIU per mL before receiving the initial prescription for SORIATANE. The first test (a screening test) is obtained by the prescriber when the decision is made to pursue therapy with SORIATANE. The second pregnancy test (a confirmation test) should be done during the first 5 days of the menstrual period immediately preceding the beginning of therapy with SORIATANE. For patients with amenorrhea, the second test should be done at least 11 days after the last act of unprotected sexual intercourse (without using 2 effective forms of contraception [birth control] simultaneously). If the second pregnancy test is negative, initiation of treatment with SORIATANE should begin within 7 days of the specimen collection. SORIATANE should be limited to a monthly supply.

Must have a pregnancy test with a sensitivity of at least 25 mIU per mL repeated every month during treatment with SORIATANE. The patient must have a negative result from a urine or serum pregnancy test before receiving a prescription for SORIATANE. To encourage compliance with this recommendation, a monthly supply of the drug should be prescribed. For at least 3 years after discontinuing therapy with SORIATANE, a pregnancy test must be repeated every 3 months.

Must have selected and have committed to use 2 effective forms of contraception (birth control) simultaneously, at least 1 of which must be a primary form, unless absolute abstinence is the chosen method, or the patient has undergone a hysterectomy or is clearly postmenopausal.

Patients must use 2 effective forms of contraception (birth control) simultaneously for at least 1 month prior to initiation of therapy with SORIATANE, during therapy with SORIATANE, and for at least 3 years after discontinuing therapy with SORIATANE. A Contraception Counseling Referral Form is available so that patients can receive an initial free contraception counseling session and pregnancy testing. Counseling about contraception and behaviors associated with an increased risk of pregnancy must be repeated on a monthly basis by the prescriber during therapy with SORIATANE and every 3 months for at least 3 years following discontinuation of SORIATANE.Effective forms of contraception include both primary and secondary forms of contraception. Primary forms of contraception include: tubal ligation, partner’s vasectomy, intrauterine devices, birth control pills, and injectable/implantable/insertable/topical hormonal birth control products. Secondary forms of contraception include condoms (with or without spermicide), diaphragms and cervical caps (which must be used with a spermicide), and vaginal sponges (contains spermicide).Any birth control method can fail. Therefore, it is critically important that women of childbearing potential use 2 effective forms of contraception (birth control) simultaneously. It has not been established if there is a pharmacokinetic interaction between acitretin and combined oral contraceptives. However, it has been established that acitretin interferes with the contraceptive effect of microdosed progestin preparations.1 Microdosed “minipill” progestin preparations are not recommended for use with SORIATANE. It is not known whether other progestinonly contraceptives, such as implants and injectables, are adequate methods of contraception during acitretin therapy. Prescribers are advised to consult the package insert of any medication administered concomitantly with hormonal contraceptives, since some medications may decrease the effectiveness of these birth control products. Patients should be prospectively cautioned not to self-medicate with the herbal supplement St. John’s wort because a possible interaction has been suggested with hormonal contraceptives based on reports of breakthrough bleeding on oral contraceptives shortly after starting St. John’s wort. Pregnancies have been reported by users of combined hormonal contraceptives who also used some form of St. John’s wort (see PRECAUTIONS).

Must have signed a Patient Agreement/Informed Consent for Female Patients that contains warnings about the risk of potential birth defects if the fetus is exposed to SORIATANE, about contraceptive failure, about the fact that they must not ingest beverages or products containing ethanol while taking SORIATANE and for 2 months after treatment with SORIATANE has been discontinued, and about preventing pregnancy while taking SORIATANE and for at least 3 years after discontinuing SORIATANE.

If pregnancy does occur during therapy with SORIATANE or at any time for at least 3 years following discontinuation of SORIATANE, the prescriber and patient should discuss the possible effects on the pregnancy. The available information is as follows: Acitretin, the active metabolite of etretinate, is teratogenic and is contraindicated during pregnancy. The risk of severe fetal malformations is well established when systemic retinoids are taken during pregnancy. Pregnancy must also be prevented after stopping acitretin therapy, while the drug is being eliminated to below a threshold blood concentration that would be associated with an increased incidence of birth defects. Because this threshold has not been established for acitretin in humans and because elimination rates vary among patients, the duration of posttherapy contraception to achieve adequate elimination cannot be calculated precisely. It is strongly recommended that contraception be continued for at least 3 years after stopping treatment with acitretin, based on the following considerations:

In the absence of transesterification to form etretinate, greater than 98% of the acitretin would be eliminated within 2 months, assuming a mean elimination half-life of 49 hours.

In cases where etretinate is formed, as has been demonstrated with concomitant administration of acitretin and ethanol,

greater than 98% of the etretinate formed would be eliminated in 2 years, assuming a mean elimination half-life of 120 days.

greater than 98% of the etretinate formed would be eliminated in 3 years, based on the longest demonstrated elimination half-life of 168 days. However, etretinate was found in plasma and subcutaneous fat in one patient reported to have had sporadic alcohol intake, 52 months after she stopped acitretin therapy.2

Severe birth defects have been reported where conception occurred during the time interval when the patient was being treated with acitretin and/or etretinate. In addition, severe birth defects have also been reported when conception occurred after the mother completed therapy. These cases have been reported both prospectively (before the outcome was known) and retrospectively (after the outcome was known). The events below are listed without distinction as to whether the reported birth defects are consistent with retinoid-induced embryopathy or not.

There have been 318 prospectively reported cases involving pregnancies and the use of etretinate, acitretin, or both. In 238 of these cases, the conception occurred after the last dose of etretinate (103 cases), acitretin (126), or both (9). Fetal outcome remained unknown in approximately one-half of these cases, of which 62 were terminated and 14 were spontaneous abortions. Fetal outcome is known for the other 118 cases and 15 of the outcomes were abnormal (including cases of absent hand/wrist, clubfoot, GI malformation, hypocalcemia, hypotonia, limb malformation, neonatal apnea/anemia, neonatal ichthyosis, placental disorder/death, undescended testicle, and 5 cases of premature birth). In the 126 prospectively reported cases where conception occurred after the last dose of acitretin only, 43 cases involved conception at least 1 year but less than 2 years after the last dose. There were 3 reports of abnormal outcomes out of these 43 cases (involving limb malformation, GI tract malformations, and premature birth). There were only 4 cases where conception occurred at least 2 years after the last dose but there were no reports of birth defects in these cases.

There is also a total of 35 retrospectively reported cases where conception occurred at least 1 year after the last dose of etretinate, acitretin, or both. From these cases there are 3 reports of birth defects when the conception occurred at least 1 year but less than 2 years after the last dose of acitretin (including heart malformations, Turner’s Syndrome, and unspecified congenital malformations) and 4 reports of birth defects when conception occurred 2 or more years after the last dose of acitretin (including foot malformation, cardiac malformations [2 cases], and unspecified neonatal and infancy disorder). There were 3 additional abnormal outcomes in cases where conception occurred 2 or more years after the last dose of etretinate (including chromosome disorder, forearm aplasia, and stillbirth).

Females who have taken TEGISON (etretinate) must continue to follow the contraceptive recommendations for TEGISON. TEGISON is no longer marketed in the US; for information, call Stiefel at 1-888-784-3335 (1-888STIEFEL).

Patients should not donate blood during and for at least 3 years following the completion of therapy with SORIATANE because women of childbearing potential must not receive blood from patients being treated with SORIATANE.

Important Information for Males Taking SORIATANE:

Patients should not donate blood during and for at least 3 years following therapy with SORIATANE because women of childbearing potential must not receive blood from patients being treated with SORIATANE.

Samples of seminal fluid from 3 male patients treated with acitretin and 6 male patients treated with etretinate have been assayed for the presence of acitretin. The maximum concentration of acitretin observed in the seminal fluid of these men was
12.5 ng per mL. Assuming an ejaculate volume of 10 mL, the amount of drug transferred in semen would be 125 ng, which is 1/200,000 of a single 25-mg capsule. Thus, although it appears that residual acitretin in seminal fluid poses little, if any, risk to a fetus while a male patient is taking the drug or after it is discontinued, the no-effect limit for teratogenicity is unknown and there is no registry for birth defects associated with acitretin. The available data are as follows:

There have been 25 cases of reported conception when the male partner was taking acitretin. The pregnancy outcome is known in 13 of these 25 cases. Of these, 9 reports were retrospective and 4 were prospective (meaning the pregnancy was reported prior to knowledge of the outcome)3.

For All Patients:

A SORIATANE MEDICATION GUIDE MUST BE GIVEN TO THE PATIENT EACH TIME SORIATANE IS DISPENSED, AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

DESCRIPTION

SORIATANE (acitretin), a retinoid, is available in 10-mg, 17.5-mg, and 25-mg gelatin capsules for oral administration. Chemically, acitretin is all-trans-9-(4-methoxy-2,3,6trimethylphenyl)-3,7-dimethyl-2,4,6,8-nonatetraenoic acid. It is a metabolite of etretinate and is related to both retinoic acid and retinol (vitamin A). It is a yellow to greenish-yellow powder with a molecular weight of 326.44. The structural formula is:

INDICATIONS

SORIATANE is indicated for the treatment of severe psoriasis in adults. Because of significant adverse effects associated with its use, SORIATANE should be prescribed only by those knowledgeable in the systemic use of retinoids. In females of reproductive potential, SORIATANE should be reserved for non-pregnant patients who are unresponsive to other therapies or whose clinical condition contraindicates the use of other treatments (see boxed CONTRAINDICATIONS AND WARNINGS - SORIATANE can cause severe birth defects).

Most patients experience relapse of psoriasis after discontinuing therapy. Subsequent courses, when clinically indicated, have produced efficacy results similar to the initial course of therapy.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

There is intersubject variation in the pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and incidence of side effects with SORIATANE. A number of the more common side effects are dose-related. Individualization of dosage is required to achieve sufficient therapeutic response while minimizing side effects. Therapy with SORIATANE should be initiated at 25 to 50 mg per day, given as a single dose with the main meal. Maintenance doses of 25 to 50 mg per day may be given dependent upon an individual patient’s response to initial treatment. Relapses may be treated as outlined for initial therapy.

When SORIATANE is used with phototherapy, the prescriber should decrease the phototherapy dose, dependent on the patient’s individual response (see PRECAUTIONS: General).

Females who have taken TEGISON (etretinate) must continue to follow the contraceptive recommendations for TEGISON. TEGISON is no longer marketed in the US; for information, call Stiefel at 1-888-784-3335 (1-888-STIEFEL).

Information For Pharmacists

SORIATANE must only be dispensed in no more than a monthly supply. A SORIATANE Medication Guide must be given to the patient each time SORIATANE is dispensed, as required by law.

SIDE EFFECTS

Hypervitaminosis A produces a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms primarily of the mucocutaneous, musculoskeletal, hepatic, neuropsychiatric, and central nervous systems. Many of the clinical adverse reactions reported to date with administration of SORIATANE resemble those of the hypervitaminosis A syndrome.

Adverse Events/Postmarketing Reports

In addition to the events listed in the tables for the clinical trials, the following adverse events have been identified during postapproval use of SORIATANE. Because these events are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Nervous System: Myopathy with peripheral neuropathy has been reported during therapy with SORIATANE. Both conditions improved with discontinuation of the drug.

Psychiatric: Aggressive feelings and/or suicidal thoughts have been reported. These events, including self-injurious behavior, have been reported in patients taking other systemically administered retinoids, as well as in patients taking SORIATANE. Since other factors may have contributed to these events, it is not known if they are related to SORIATANE (see PRECAUTIONS).

Skin and Appendages: Thinning of the skin, skin fragility, and scaling may occur all over the body, particularly on the palms and soles; nail fragility is frequently observed. Madarosis and exfoliative dermatitis/erythroderma have been reported (see WARNINGS).

Clinical Trials

During clinical trials with SORIATANE, 513 of 525 (98%) subjects reported a total of 3,545 adverse events. One-hundred sixteen subjects (22%) left trials prematurely, primarily because of adverse experiences involving the mucous membranes and skin. Three subjects died. Two of the deaths were not drug-related (pancreatic adenocarcinoma and lung cancer); the other subject died of an acute myocardial infarction, considered remotely related to drug therapy. In clinical trials, SORIATANE was associated with elevations in liver function test results or triglyceride levels and hepatitis.

The tables below list by body system and frequency the adverse events reported during clinical trials of 525 subjects with psoriasis.

Laboratory

Therapy with SORIATANE induces changes in liver function tests in a significant number of patients. Elevations of AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT) or LDH were experienced by approximately 1 in 3 subjects treated with SORIATANE. In most subjects, elevations were slight to moderate and returned to normal either during continuation of therapy or after cessation of treatment. In subjects receiving SORIATANE during clinical trials, 66% and 33% experienced elevation in triglycerides and cholesterol, respectively. Decreased high density lipoproteins (HDL) occurred in 40% (see WARNINGS). Transient, usually reversible elevations of alkaline phosphatase have been observed.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Ethanol

Glyburide

In a trial of 7 healthy male volunteers, acitretin treatment potentiated the blood glucose-lowering effect of glyburide (a sulfonylurea similar to chlorpropamide) in 3 of the 7 subjects. Repeating the trial with 6 healthy male volunteers in the absence of glyburide did not detect an effect of acitretin on glucose tolerance. Careful supervision of diabetic patients under treatment with SORIATANE is recommended (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Pharmacokinetics and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

Hormonal Contraceptives

It has not been established if there is a pharmacokinetic interaction between acitretin and combined oral contraceptives. However, it has been established that acitretin interferes with the contraceptive effect of microdosed progestin “minipill” preparations. Microdosed “minipill” progestin preparations are not recommended for use with SORIATANE (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: PharmacokineticDrug Interactions). It is not known whether other progestin-only contraceptives, such as implants and injectables, are adequate methods of contraception during acitretin therapy.

Methotrexate

An increased risk of hepatitis has been reported to result from combined use of methotrexate and etretinate. Consequently, the combination of methotrexate with acitretin is also contraindicated (see CONTRAINDICATIONS).

Phenytoin

If acitretin is given concurrently with phenytoin, the protein binding of phenytoin may be reduced.

Tetracyclines

Since both acitretin and tetracyclines can cause increased intracranial pressure, their combined use is contraindicated (see CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS: Pseudotumor Cerebri).

Vitamin A And Oral Retinoids

Concomitant administration of vitamin A and/or other oral retinoids with acitretin must be avoided because of the risk of hypervitaminosis A.

Other

There appears to be no pharmacokinetic interaction between acitretin and cimetidine, digoxin, or glyburide. Investigations into the effect of acitretin on the protein binding of anticoagulants of the coumarin type (warfarin) revealed no interaction.

Warnings

WARNINGS

Hepatotoxicity

Of the 525 subjects treated in US clinical trials, 2 had clinical jaundice with elevated serum bilirubin and transaminases considered related to treatment with SORIATANE. Liver function test results in these subjects returned to normal after SORIATANE was discontinued. Two of the 1,289 subjects treated in European clinical trials developed biopsy-confirmed toxic hepatitis. A second biopsy in one of these subjects revealed nodule formation suggestive of cirrhosis. One subject in a Canadian clinical trial of 63 subjects developed a 3-fold increase of transaminases. A liver biopsy of this subject showed mild lobular disarray, multifocal hepatocyte loss, and mild triaditis of the portal tracts compatible with acute reversible hepatic injury. The subject's transaminase levels returned to normal 2 months after SORIATANE was discontinued.

The potential of therapy with SORIATANE to induce hepatotoxicity was prospectively evaluated using liver biopsies in an open-label trial of 128 subjects. Pretreatment and posttreatment biopsies were available for 87 subjects. A comparison of liver biopsy findings before and after therapy revealed 49 (58%) subjects showed no change, 21 (25%) improved, and 14 (17%) subjects had a worsening of their liver biopsy status. For 6 subjects, the classification changed from class 0 (no pathology) to class I (normal fatty infiltration; nuclear variability and portal inflammation; both mild); for 7 subjects, the change was from class I to class II (fatty infiltration, nuclear variability, portal inflammation, and focal necrosis; all moderate to severe); and for 1 subject, the change was from class II to class IIIb (fibrosis, moderate to severe). No correlation could be found between liver function test result abnormalities and the change in liver biopsy status, and no cumulative dose relationship was found.

Elevations of AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT), GGT (GGTP), or LDH have occurred in approximately 1 in 3 subjects treated with SORIATANE. Of the 525 subjects treated in clinical trials in the US, treatment was discontinued in 20 (3.8%) due to elevated liver function test results. If hepatotoxicity is suspected during treatment with SORIATANE, the drug should be discontinued and the etiology further investigated.

Ten of 652 subjects treated in US clinical trials of etretinate, of which acitretin is the active metabolite, had clinical or histologic hepatitis considered to be possibly or probably related to etretinate treatment.

There have been reports of hepatitis-related deaths worldwide; a few of these subjects had received etretinate for a month or less before presenting with hepatic symptoms or signs.

Skeletal Abnormalities

In adults receiving long-term treatment with SORIATANE, appropriate examinations should be periodically performed in view of possible ossification abnormalities (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). Because the frequency and severity of iatrogenic bony abnormality in adults is low, periodic radiography is only warranted in the presence of symptoms or long-term use of SORIATANE. If such disorders arise, the continuation of therapy should be discussed with the patient on the basis of a careful risk/benefit analysis. In clinical trials with SORIATANE, subjects were prospectively evaluated for evidence of development or change in bony abnormalities of the vertebral column, knees, and ankles.

Six of 128 subjects treated with SORIATANE showed abnormalities in the knees and ankles before treatment that progressed during treatment. In 5, these changes involved the formation of additional spurs or enlargement of existing spurs. The sixth subject had degenerative joint disease which worsened. No subjects developed spurs de novo. Clinical complaints did not predict radiographic changes.

Lipids And Possible Cardiovascular Effects

Blood lipid determinations should be performed before SORIATANE is administered and again at intervals of 1 to 2 weeks until the lipid response to the drug is established, usually within 4 to 8 weeks. In subjects receiving SORIATANE during clinical trials, 66% and 33% experienced elevation in triglycerides and cholesterol, respectively. Decreased high density lipoproteins (HDL) occurred in 40% of subjects. These effects of SORIATANE were generally reversible upon cessation of therapy.

Subjects with an increased tendency to develop hypertriglyceridemia included those with disturbances of lipid metabolism, diabetes mellitus, obesity, increased alcohol intake, or a familial history of these conditions. Because of the risk of hypertriglyceridemia, serum lipids must be more closely monitored in high-risk patients and during long-term treatment.

Hypertriglyceridemia and lowered HDL may increase a patient’s cardiovascular risk status. Although no causal relationship has been established, there have been postmarketing reports of acute myocardial infarction or thromboembolic events in patients on therapy with SORIATANE. In addition, elevation of serum triglycerides to greater than 800 mg per dL has been associated with fatal fulminant pancreatitis. Therefore, dietary modifications, reduction in dose of SORIATANE, or drug therapy should be employed to control significant elevations of triglycerides. If, despite these measures, hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL levels persist, the discontinuation of SORIATANE should be considered.

Any patient treated with SORIATANE who is experiencing visual difficulties should discontinue the drug and undergo ophthalmologic evaluation.

Pancreatitis

Lipid elevations occur in 25% to 50% of subjects treated with SORIATANE. Triglyceride increases sufficient to be associated with pancreatitis are much less common, although fatal fulminant pancreatitis has been reported. There have been rare reports of pancreatitis during therapy with SORIATANE in the absence of hypertriglyceridemia.

Pseudotumor Cerebri

SORIATANE and other retinoids administered orally have been associated with cases of pseudotumor cerebri (benign intracranial hypertension). Some of these events involved concomitant use of isotretinoin and tetracyclines. However, the event seen in a single patient receiving SORIATANE was not associated with tetracycline use. Early signs and symptoms include papilledema, headache, nausea and vomiting, and visual disturbances. Patients with these signs and symptoms should be examined for papilledema and, if present, should discontinue SORIATANE immediately and be referred for neurological evaluation and care. Since both SORIATANE and tetracyclines can cause increased intracranial pressure, their combined use is contraindicated (see CONTRAINDICATIONS).

Capillary Leak Syndrome

Capillary leak syndrome, a potential manifestation of retinoic acid syndrome, has been reported in patients receiving SORIATANE. Features of this syndrome may include localized or generalized edema with secondary weight gain, fever, and hypotension. Rhabdomyolysis and myalgias have been reported in association with capillary leak syndrome, and laboratory tests may reveal neutrophilia, hypoalbuminemia, and an elevated hematocrit. Discontinue SORIATANE if capillary leak syndrome develops during therapy.

Exfoliative Dermatitis/Erythroderma

PRECAUTIONS

A description of the Do Your P.A.R.T. materials is provided below. The main goals of the materials are to explain the program requirements, to reinforce the educational messages, and to assess program effectiveness.

The Do Your P.A.R.T. booklet includes:

The Do Your P.A.R.T. Patient Brochure: information on the program requirements, risks of acitretin, and the types of contraceptive methods

The Contraception Counseling Referral Form for female patients who want to receive free contraception counseling reimbursed by the manufacturer

The Do Your P.A.R.T. program also includes a voluntary patient survey for women of childbearing potential to assess the effectiveness of the SORIATANE Pregnancy Prevention Program Do Your P.A.R.T.Do Your P.A.R.T. Program materials are available at www.soriatane.com or may be requested by calling 1-888-784-3335 (1-888-STIEFEL).

Information For Patients

(See PATIENT INFORMATION for all patients and Patient Agreement/Informed Consent for Female Patients at end of professional labeling).

Patients should be instructed to read the Medication Guide supplied as required by law when SORIATANE is dispensed.

Females Of Reproductive Potential

SORIATANE can cause severe birth defects. Female patients must not be pregnant when therapy with SORIATANE is initiated, they must not become pregnant while taking SORIATANE and for at least 3 years after stopping SORIATANE, so that the drug can be eliminated to below a blood concentration that would be associated with an increased incidence of birth defects. Because this threshold has not been established for acitretin in humans and because elimination rates vary among patients, the duration of posttherapy contraception to achieve adequate elimination cannot be calculated precisely (see boxed CONTRAINDICATIONS AND WARNINGS).

Females of reproductive potential should also be advised that they must not ingest beverages or products containing ethanol while taking SORIATANE and for 2 months after SORIATANE has been discontinued. This allows for elimination of the acitretin which can be converted to etretinate in the presence of alcohol.

Female patients should be advised that any method of birth control can fail, including tubal ligation, and that microdosed progestin “minipill” preparations are not recommended for use with SORIATANE (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Pharmacokinetic Drug Interactions). Data from one patient who received a very low-dosed progestin contraceptive (levonorgestrel 0.03 mg) had a significant increase of the progesterone level after 3 menstrual cycles during acitretin treatment.2

Female patients should be advised to contact their physician, women’s health centers, pharmacies, or hospital emergency rooms for information about how to obtain Emergency Contraception if sexual intercourse occurs without using 2 effective forms of contraception simultaneously. A 24-hour, toll-free number (1-800-739-6700) is also available for patients to receive automated birth control and emergency contraception information.

Nursing Mothers

Studies on lactating rats have shown that etretinate is excreted in the milk. There is one prospective case report where acitretin is reported to be excreted in human milk. Therefore, nursing mothers should not receive SORIATANE prior to or during nursing because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants.

All Patients

Depression and/or other psychiatric symptoms such as aggressive feelings or thoughts of self-harm have been reported. These events, including self-injurious behavior, have been reported in patients taking other systemically administered retinoids, as well as in patients taking SORIATANE. Since other factors may have contributed to these events, it is not known if they are related to SORIATANE. Patients should be counseled to stop taking SORIATANE and notify their prescriber immediately if they experience psychiatric symptoms.

Patients should be advised that a transient worsening of psoriasis is sometimes seen during the initial treatment period. Patients should be advised that they may have to wait 2 to 3 months before they get the full benefit of SORIATANE, although some patients may achieve significant improvements within the first 8 weeks of treatment as demonstrated in clinical trials.

Decreased night vision has been reported during therapy with SORIATANE. Patients should be advised of this potential problem and warned to be cautious when driving or operating any vehicle at night. Visual problems should be carefully monitored (see WARNINGS and ADVERSE REACTIONS). Patients should be advised that they may experience decreased tolerance to contact lenses during the treatment period and sometimes after treatment has stopped.

Patients should not donate blood during and for at least 3 years following therapy because SORIATANE can cause birth defects and women of childbearing potential must not receive blood from patients being treated with SORIATANE.

Because of the relationship of SORIATANE to vitamin A, patients should be advised against taking vitamin A supplements in excess of minimum recommended daily allowances to avoid possible additive toxic effects.

Patients should avoid the use of sun lamps and excessive exposure to sunlight (non-medical UV exposure) because the effects of UV light are enhanced by retinoids.

Patients should be advised that they must not give their SORIATANE to any other person.

For Prescribers

SORIATANE has not been studied in and is not indicated for treatment of acne.

OVERDOSE

In the event of acute overdosage, SORIATANE must be withdrawn at once. Symptoms of overdose are identical to acute hypervitaminosis A (e.g., headache and vertigo). The acute oral toxicity (LD50) of acitretin in both mice and rats was greater than 4,000 mg per kg.

In one reported case of overdose, a 32-year-old male with Darier’s disease took 21 x 25-mg capsules (525-mg single dose). He vomited several hours later but experienced no other ill effects.

All female patients of childbearing potential who have taken an overdose of SORIATANE must:

Have a pregnancy test at the time of overdose; 2) Be counseled as per the boxed CONTRAINDICATIONS AND WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS sections regarding birth defects and contraceptive use for at least 3 years’ duration after the overdose.

Since both SORIATANE and tetracyclines can cause increased intracranial pressure, their combined use is contraindicated (see WARNINGS: Pseudotumor Cerebri).

SORIATANE is contraindicated in cases of hypersensitivity (e.g., angioedema, urticaria) to the preparation (acitretin or excipients) or to other retinoids.

Clinical Pharmacology

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

The mechanism of action of SORIATANE is unknown.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Oral absorption of acitretin is optimal when given with food. For this reason, acitretin was given with food in all of the following trials. After administration of a single 50-mg oral dose of acitretin to 18 healthy subjects, maximum plasma concentrations ranged from 196 to 728 ng per mL (mean: 416 ng per mL) and were achieved in 2 to 5 hours (mean: 2.7 hours). The oral absorption of acitretin is linear and proportional with increasing doses from 25 to 100 mg. Approximately 72% (range: 47% to 109%) of the administered dose was absorbed after a single 50-mg dose of acitretin was given to 12 healthy subjects.

Distribution

Acitretin is more than 99.9% bound to plasma proteins, primarily albumin.

Metabolism

(See Pharmacokinetic Drug Interactions: Ethanol.)

Following oral absorption, acitretin undergoes extensive metabolism and interconversion by simple isomerization to its 13cis form (cis-acitretin). The formation of cis-acitretin relative to parent compound is not altered by dose or fed/fast conditions of oral administration of acitretin. Both parent compound and isomer are further metabolized into chain-shortened breakdown products and conjugates, which are excreted. Following multiple-dose administration of acitretin, steady-state concentrations of acitretin and cis-acitretin in plasma are achieved within approximately 3 weeks.

Elimination

The chain-shortened metabolites and conjugates of acitretin and cis-acitretin are ultimately excreted in the feces (34% to 54%) and urine (16% to 53%). The terminal elimination half-life of acitretin following multiple-dose administration is 49 hours (range: 33 to 96 hours), and that of cis-acitretin under the same conditions is 63 hours (range: 28 to 157 hours). The accumulation ratio of the parent compound is 1.2; that of cis-acitretin is 6.6.

Special Populations

Psoriasis

In an 8-week trial of acitretin pharmacokinetics in subjects with psoriasis, mean steady-state trough concentrations of acitretin increased in a dose-proportional manner with dosages ranging from 10 to 50 mg daily. Acitretin plasma concentrations were nonmeasurable (<4 ng per mL) in all subjects 3 weeks after cessation of therapy.

Elderly

In a multiple-dose trial in healthy young (n = 6) and elderly (n = 8) subjects, a 2fold increase in acitretin plasma concentrations were seen in elderly subjects, although the elimination half-life did not change.

Renal Failure

Plasma concentrations of acitretin were significantly (59.3%) lower in subjects with end-stage renal failure (n = 6) when compared with age-matched controls, following single 50-mg oral doses. Acitretin was not removed by hemodialysis in these subjects.

Pharmacokinetic Drug Interactions

In studies of in vivo pharmacokinetic drug interactions, no interaction was seen between acitretin and cimetidine, digoxin, phenprocoumon, or glyburide.

Ethanol

Clinical evidence has shown that etretinate (a retinoid with a much longer half-life, see below) can be formed with concurrent ingestion of acitretin and ethanol. In a 2-way crossover trial, all 10 subjects formed etretinate with concurrent ingestion of a single 100-mg oral dose of acitretin during a 3-hour period of ethanol ingestion (total ethanol, approximately 1.4 g per kg body weight). A mean peak etretinate concentration of 59 ng per mL (range: 22 to 105 ng per mL) was observed, and extrapolation of AUC values indicated that the formation of etretinate in this trial was comparable to a single 5-mg oral dose of etretinate. There was no detectable formation of etretinate when a single 100-mg oral dose of acitretin was administered without concurrent ethanol ingestion, although the formation of etretinate without concurrent ethanol ingestion cannot be excluded (see boxed CONTRAINDICATIONS AND WARNINGS). Of 93 evaluable psoriatic subjects on acitretin therapy in several foreign trials (10 to 80 mg per day), 16% had measurable etretinate levels (>5 ng per mL).

Etretinate has a much longer elimination half-life compared with that of acitretin. In one trial the apparent mean terminal half-life after 6 months of therapy was approximately 120 days (range: 84 to 168 days). In another trial of 47 subjects treated chronically with etretinate, 5 had detectable serum drug levels (in the range of 0.5 to 12 ng per mL) 2.1 to 2.9 years after therapy was discontinued. The long half-life appears to be due to storage of etretinate in adipose tissue.

Progestin-Only Contraceptives

It has not been established if there is a pharmacokinetic interaction between acitretin and combined oral contraceptives. However, it has been established that acitretin interferes with the contraceptive effect of microdosed progestin preparations.1 Microdosed “minipill” progestin preparations are not recommended for use with SORIATANE. It is not known whether other progestin-only contraceptives, such as implants and injectables, are adequate methods of contraception during acitretin therapy.

Clinical Studies

In 2 double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, SORIATANE was administered once daily to subjects with severe psoriasis (e.g., covering at least 10% to 20% of the body surface area). At 8 weeks (see Table 1) subjects treated in Trial A with 50 mg of SORIATANE per day showed significant improvements (P ≤0.05) relative to baseline and to placebo in the physician’s global evaluation and in the mean ratings of severity of psoriasis (scaling, thickness, and erythema). In Trial B, differences from baseline and from placebo were statistically significant (P ≤0.05) for all variables at both the 25-mg and 50-mg doses; it should be noted for Trial B that no statistical adjustment for multiplicity was carried out.

Table 1. Summary of the Efficacy Results of the 8-Week Double-Blind Phase of Trials A and B of SORIATANE

Efficacy Variables

Trial A

Trial B

Total Daily Dose

Total Daily Dose

Placebo (N = 29)

50 mg (N = 29)

Placebo (N = 72)

25 mg (N = 74)

50 mg (N = 71)

Physician’s Global Evaluation

Baseline

4.62

4.55

4.43

4.37

4.49

Mean Change After 8 Weeks

−0.29

−2.00a

−0.06

−1.06a

−1.57a

Scaling

Baseline

4.10

3.76

3.97

4.11

4.10

Mean Change After 8 Weeks

−0.22

−1.62a

−0.21

−1.50a

−1.78a

Thickness

Baseline

4.10

4.10

4.03

4.11

4.20

Mean Change After 8 Weeks

−0.39

−2.10a

−0.18

−1.43a

−2.11a

Erythema

Baseline

4.21

4.59

4.42

4.24

4.45

Mean Change After 8 Weeks

−0.33

−2.10a

−0.37

−1.12a

−1.65a

a Values were statistically significantly different from placebo and from baseline (P ≤0.05). No adjustment for multiplicity was done for Trial B.

A subset of 141 subjects from both pivotal Trials A and B continued to receive SORIATANE in an open fashion for up to 24 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, all efficacy variables, as indicated in Table 2, were significantly improved (P .0.01) from baseline, including extent of psoriasis, mean ratings of psoriasis severity, and physician’s global evaluation.

Table 2. Summary of the First Course of Therapy with SORIATANE (24 Weeks)

Variables

Trial A

Trial B

Mean Total Daily Dose of SORIATANE (mg)

42.8

43.1

Mean Duration of Therapy (Weeks)

21.1

22.6

Physician’s Global Evaluation

N = 39

N = 98

Baseline

4.51

4.43

Mean Change from Baseline

−2.26a

−2.60a

Scaling

N = 59

N = 132

Baseline

3.97

4.07

Mean Change from Baseline

−2.15a

−2.42a

Thickness

N = 59

N = 132

Baseline

4.00

4.12

Mean Change from Baseline

−2.44a

−2.66a

Erythema

N = 59

N = 132

Baseline

4.35

4.33

Mean Change from Baseline

−2.31a

−2.29a

a Indicates that the difference from baseline was statistically significant (P ≤0.01).

All efficacy variables improved significantly in a subset of 55 subjects from Trial A treated for a second, 6-month maintenance course of therapy (for a total of 12 months of treatment); a small subset of subjects (n = 4) from Trial A continued to improve after a third 6-month course of therapy (for a total of 18 months of treatment).

REFERENCES

1. Berbis Ph, et al.: Arch Dermatol Res (1988) 280:388-389.

Medication Guide

PATIENT INFORMATION

SORIATANE
(sor-RYE-uh-tane)
(acitretin) Capsules

Read this Medication Guide carefully before you start taking SORIATANE and read it each time you get more SORIATANE. There may be new information.

The first information in this Medication Guide is about birth defects and how to avoid pregnancy. After this section there is important safety information about possible effects for any patient taking SORIATANE. All patients should read this entire Medication Guide carefully. This information does not take the place of talking with your prescriber about your medical condition or treatment.

What is the most important information I should know about SORIATANE?

SORIATANE can cause serious side effects, including:

Severe birth defects. If you are a female who can get pregnant, you should use SORIATANE only if you are not pregnant now, can avoid becoming pregnant for at least 3 years, and other medicines do not work for your severe psoriasis or you cannot use other psoriasis medicines. Information about effects on unborn babies and about how to avoid pregnancy is found in the next section: “What are the important warnings and instructions for females taking SORIATANE?”

Liver problems, including abnormal liver function tests and inflammation of your liver (hepatitis). Your prescriber should do blood tests to check how your liver is working before you start taking and during treatment with SORIATANE. Stop taking SORIATANE and call your prescriber right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms of a serious liver problem:

yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

nausea and vomiting

loss of appetite

dark urine

What are the important warnings and instructions for females taking SORIATANE?

Before you receive your first prescription for SORIATANE, you should have discussed and signed a Patient Agreement/Informed Consent for Female Patients form with your prescriber. This is to help make sure you understand the risk of birth defects and how to avoid getting pregnant. If you did not talk to your prescriber about this and sign the form, contact your prescriber.

Important: If you are a female who can become pregnant:

You must not take SORIATANE if you are pregnant or might become pregnant during treatment or at any time for at least 3 years after you stop treatment because SORIATANE can cause severe birth defects.

During treatment with SORIATANE and for 2 months after you stop treatment with SORIATANE, you must avoid drinks, foods, and all medicines that contain alcohol. This includes over-the-counter products that contain alcohol. Avoiding alcohol is very important, because alcohol changes SORIATANE into a drug that may take longer than 3 years to leave your body. The chance of birth defects may last longer than 3 years if you swallow any form of alcohol during treatment with SORIATANE and for 2 months after you stop taking SORIATANE.

You and your prescriber must be sure you are not pregnant before you start therapy with SORIATANE. You must have negative results from 2 pregnancy tests before you start treatment with SORIATANE. A negative result shows you are not pregnant. Because it takes a few days after pregnancy begins for a test to show that you are pregnant, the first negative test may not ensure you are not pregnant. Do not start SORIATANE until you have negative results from 2 pregnancy tests.

The first pregnancy test (urine or blood) will be done at the time you and your prescriber decide if SORIATANE might be right for you.

The second pregnancy test will usually be done during the first 5 days of your menstrual period. You must start taking SORIATANE within 7 days of when the urine or blood for the second pregnancy test is collected.

After you start taking SORIATANE, you must have a pregnancy test repeated each month that you are taking SORIATANE. This is to be sure that you are not pregnant during treatment because SORIATANE can cause birth defects. In addition, your prescription of SORIATANE will be limited to a monthly supply.

For at least 3 years after stopping treatment with SORIATANE, you must have a pregnancy test repeated every 3 months to make sure that you are not pregnant.

Discuss effective birth control (contraception) with your prescriber. You must use 2 effective forms of birth control (contraception) at the same time during all of the following:

for at least 1 month before beginning treatment with SORIATANE

during treatment with SORIATANE

for at least 3 years after stopping treatment with SORIATANE

If you are sexually active, you must use 2 effective forms of birth control (contraception) at the same time even if you think you cannot become pregnant, unless 1 of the following is true for you:

You can get a free birth control counseling session and pregnancy testing from aprescriberor family planning expert. Your prescriber can give you a Contraception Counseling Referral Form for this free session.

If you have sex at any time without using 2 effective forms of birth control (contraception) at the same time, or if you get pregnant or miss your period, stop using SORIATANE and call your prescriber right away.

Consider “Emergency Contraception” (EC) if you have sex with a male without correctly using 2 effective forms of birth control (contraception) at the same time. EC is also called “emergency birth control” which includes the “morning after” pill. Contact your prescriber as soon as possible if you have sex without using 2 effective forms of birth control (contraception) at the same time, because EC works best if it is used within 1 or 2 days after sex. EC is not a replacement for your usual 2 effective forms of birth control (contraception) because it is not as effective as regular birth control methods.
Contact your prescriber, women’s health centers, pharmacies, or hospital emergency rooms for information on how to get emergency contraception. A 24-hour, toll-free number (1-800-739-6700) is also available for patients to receive automated birth control and emergency contraception information.

Stop taking SORIATANE right away and contact your prescriber if you get pregnant whiletaking SORIATANE or at any time for at least 3 years after treatment has stopped. You need to discuss the possible effects on the unborn baby with your prescriber.

If you do become pregnant while taking SORIATANE or at any time for at least 3 years after stopping SORIATANE, you should report your pregnancy to Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. at 1888-784-3335 (1-888-STIEFEL) or directly to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088. Your name will be kept in private (confidential). The information you share will help the FDA and the manufacturer evaluate the Pregnancy Prevention Program for SORIATANE

Do not take SORIATANE if you are breastfeeding. SORIATANE can pass into your milk and may harm your baby. You will need to choose either to breast feed or take SORIATANE, but not both.

What should males know before taking SORIATANE?

Small amounts of SORIATANE are found in the semen of males taking SORIATANE. Based upon available information, it appears that these small amounts of SORIATANE in semen pose little, if any, risk to an unborn child while a male patient is taking the drug or after it is discontinued. Discuss any concerns you have about this with your prescriber.

All patients should read the rest of this Medication Guide.

What is SORIATANE?

SORIATANE is a medicine used to treat severe forms of psoriasis in adults. Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes cells in the outer layer of the skin to grow faster than normal and pile up on the skin’s surface. In the most common type of psoriasis, the skin becomes inflamed and produces red, thickened areas, often with silvery scales.

Because SORIATANE can have serious side effects, you should talk with your prescriber about whether possible benefits of SORIATANE outweigh its possible risks.

SORIATANE may not work right away. You may have to wait 2 to 3 months before you get the full benefit of SORIATANE. Psoriasis gets worse for some patients when they first start treatment with SORIATANE.

SORIATANE has not been studied in children.

Who should not take SORIATANE?

Do NOT take SORIATANE if you can get pregnant. Do not take SORIATANE if you are pregnant or might get pregnant during treatment with SORIATANE or at any time for at least 3 years after you stop treatment with SORIATANE (see “What are the important warnings and instructions for females taking SORIATANE?”).

Do NOT take SORIATANE if you are breastfeeding. SORIATANE can pass into your milk and may harm your baby. You will need to choose either to breast feed or take SORIATANE, but not both.

Do NOT take SORIATANE if you have severe liver or kidney disease.

Do NOT take SORIATANE if you have repeated high blood lipids (fat in the blood).

The use of these medicines with SORIATANE may cause serious side effects.

Do NOT take SORIATANE if you are allergic to acitretin, the active ingredient in SORIATANE, to any of the other ingredients in SORIATANE (see the end of this Medication Guide for a list of all the ingredients in SORIATANE), or to any medicines that are like SORIATANE. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist if any medicines you are allergic to are like SORIATANE.

Before taking SORIATANE, tell your prescriber about all your medical conditions, including if you have or have had:

TEGISON or TIGASON (etretinate). Tell your prescriber if you have ever taken this medicine in the
past.

St. John’s wort herbal supplement

Tell your prescriber if you are getting phototherapy treatment. Your doses of phototherapy may need to be changed to prevent a burn.

How should I take SORIATANE?

Take SORIATANE with food.

Be sure to take your medicine as prescribed by your prescriber. The dose of SORIATANE varies from patient to patient. The number of capsules you must take is chosen specially for you by your prescriber. This dose may change during treatment.

If you miss a dose, do not double the next dose. Skip the missed dose and resume your normal schedule.

If you take too much SORIATANE (overdose), call your local poison control center or emergency room.

You should have blood tests for liver function, cholesterol, and triglycerides before starting treatment and during treatment to check your body’s response to SORIATANE. Your prescriber may also do other tests.

Once you stop taking SORIATANE, your psoriasis may return. Do not treat this new psoriasis with leftover SORIATANE. It is important to see your prescriber again for treatment recommendations because your situation may have changed.

What should I avoid while taking SORIATANE?

Avoid pregnancy. See “What is the most important information I should know about SORIATANE?”, and “What are the important warnings and instructions for females taking SORIATANE?”Avoid breastfeeding. See “What are the important warnings and instructions for females taking SORIATANE?”

Avoid alcohol. Females who are able to become pregnant must avoid drinks, foods, medicines, and over-the-counter products that contain alcohol. The risk of birth defects may continue for longer than 3 years if you swallow any form of alcohol during treatment with SORIATANE and for 2 months after stopping SORIATANE (see “What are the important warnings and instructions for females taking SORIATANE?”).

Avoid giving blood. Do not donate blood while you are taking SORIATANE and for at least 3 years after stopping treatment with SORIATANE. SORIATANE in your blood can harm an unborn baby if your blood is given to a pregnant woman. SORIATANE does not affect your ability to receive a blood transfusion.

Avoid progestin-only birth control pills (“minipills”). This type of birth control pill may not work while you take SORIATANE. Ask your prescriber if you are not sure what type of pills you are using.

Avoid night driving if you develop any sudden vision problems. Stop taking SORIATANE and call your prescriber if this occurs (see “What are the possible side effects of SORIATANE?”).

Avoid non-medical ultraviolet (UV) light. SORIATANE can make your skin more sensitive to UV light. Do not use sunlamps, and avoid sunlight as much as possible. If you are taking light treatment (phototherapy), your prescriber may need to change your light dosages to avoid burns.

Avoid dietary supplements containing vitamin A. SORIATANE is related to vitamin A. Therefore, do not take supplements containing vitamin A, because they may add to the unwanted effects of SORIATANE. Check with your prescriber or pharmacist if you have any questions about vitamin supplements.

Do not share SORIATANE with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms. Your medicine may harm them or their unborn child.

What are the possible side effects of SORIATANE?

SORIATANE can cause serious side effects, including:

See “What is the most important information I should know about SORIATANE?” and “What are the important warnings and instructions for females taking SORIATANE?”

Stop taking SORIATANE and call your prescriber right away if you get the following signs or symptoms of possible serious side effects:

Bad headaches, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision. These symptoms can be signs of increased brain pressure that can lead to blindness or even death.

Vision problems. Decreased vision in the dark (night blindness). Since this can start suddenly, you should be very careful when driving at night. This problem usually goes away when treatment with SORIATANE stops. Stop taking SORIATANE and call your prescriber if you develop any vision problems or eye pain.

Depression. There have been some reports of patients developing mental problems including a depressed mood, aggressive feelings, or thoughts of ending their own life (suicide). These events, including suicidal behavior, have been reported in patients taking other drugs similar to SORIATANE as well as patients taking SORIATANE. Since other things may have contributed to these problems, it is not known if they are related to SORIATANE.

Aches or pains in your bones, joints, muscles, or back, trouble moving, or loss of feeling in your hands or feet. These can be signs of abnormal changes to your bones or muscles.

Frequent urination, great thirst or hunger. SORIATANE can affect blood sugar control, even if you do not already have diabetes. These are some of the signs of high blood sugar.

Shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, chest pain, weakness, trouble speaking, or swelling of a leg. These may be signs of a heart attack, blood clots, or stroke. SORIATANE can cause serious changes in blood fats (lipids). It is possible for these changes to cause blood vessel blockages that lead to heart attacks, strokes, or blood clots.

Blood vessel problems. SORIATANE can cause fluid to leak out of your blood vessels into your body tissues. Call your prescriber right away if you have any of the following symptoms: sudden swelling in one part of your body or all over your body, weight gain, fever, lightheadedness or feeling faint, or muscle aches. If this happens, your prescriber will tell you to stop taking SORIATANE.

Serious allergic reactions. See “Who should not take SORIATANE?” Serious allergic reactions can happen during treatment with SORIATANE. Call your prescriber right away if you get any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, itching, swelling of your face, mouth, or tongue, or problems breathing. If this happens, stop taking SORIATANE and do not take it again.

Serious skin problems. SORIATANE can cause skin problems that can begin in a small area and then spread over large areas of your body. Call your prescriber right away if your skin becomes red and swollen (inflamed), you have peeling of your skin, or your skin becomes itchy and painful. You should stop SORIATANE if this happens.

Common side effects

If you develop any of these side effects or any unusual reaction, check with your prescriber to find out if you need to change the amount of SORIATANE you take. These side effects usually get better if the dose of SORIATANE is reduced or SORIATANE is stopped.

Hair loss. Most patients have some hair loss, but this condition varies among patients. No one can tell if you will lose hair, how much hair you may lose or if and when it may grow back. You may also lose your eyelashes.

Dry eyes. SORIATANE may dry your eyes. Wearing contact lenses may be uncomfortable during and after treatment with SORIATANE because of the dry feeling in your eyes. If this happens, remove your contact lenses and call your prescriber. Also read the section about vision problems under “Serious side effects”.

Rise in blood fats (lipids). SORIATANE can cause your blood fats (lipids) to rise. Most of the time this is not serious. But sometimes the increase can become a serious problem (see information under “Serious side effects”). You should have blood tests as directed by your prescriber.

Psoriasis gets worse for some patients when they first start treatment with SORIATANE. Some patients have more redness or itching. If this happens, tell your prescriber. These symptoms usually get better as treatment continues, but your prescriber may need to change the amount of your medicine.

These are not all the possible side effects of SORIATANE. For more information, ask your prescriber or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800FDA-1088.

How should I store SORIATANE?

Store SORIATANE between 59°F to 77°F (15°C to 25°C).

Keep SORIATANE away from sunlight, high temperature, and humidity.

Keep SORIATANE and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about the safe and effective use of SORIATANE

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use SORIATANE for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give SORIATANE to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about SORIATANE that is written for health professionals.

This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

PATIENT AGREEMENT/INFORMED CONSENT FOR FEMALE PATIENTS

To be completed by the patient* and signed by her prescriber

*Must also be initialed by the parent or guardian of a minor patient (under age 18)

Read each item below and initial in the space provided to show that you understand each item.

Do not sign this consent and do not take SORIATANE (acitretin) if there is anything that you do not understand.

_____________________________________________________________

(Patient’s name)

I understand that there is a very high risk that my unborn baby could have severe birth defects if I am pregnant or become pregnant while taking SORIATANE in any amount even for short periods of time. Birth defects have also happened in babies of women who became pregnant after stopping treatment with SORIATANE.

INITIAL: ___________

I understand that I must not become pregnant while taking SORIATANE and for at least 3 years after the end of my treatment with SORIATANE.

INITIAL: ___________

I know that I must avoid all alcohol, including drinks, food, medicines, and over-the-counter products that contain alcohol. I understand that the risk of birth defects may last longer than 3 years if I swallow any form of alcohol during therapy with SORIATANE, and for 2 months after I stop taking SORIATANE.

INITIAL: ___________

I understand that I must not have sexual intercourse, or I must use 2 separate, effective forms of birth control at the same time. The only exceptions are if I have had surgery to remove the womb (a hysterectomy) or my prescriber has told me I have gone completely through menopause.

INITIAL: ___________

I understand that I have to use 2 effective forms of birth control (contraception) at the same time for at least 1 month before starting SORIATANE, for the entire time of therapy with SORIATANE, and for at least 3 years after stopping SORIATANE.

INITIAL: ___________

I understand that any form of birth control can fail. Therefore, I must use 2 different methods at the same time, every time I have sexual intercourse.

INITIAL: ___________

I understand that the following are considered effective forms of birth control: Primary: Tubal ligation (having my tubes tied), partner’s vasectomy, birth control pills (not progestin-only “minipills”), injectable/implantable/insertable/topical (patch) hormonal birth control products, and IUDs (intrauterine devices). Secondary: Condoms (with or without spermicide, which is a special cream or jelly that kills sperm), diaphragms and cervical caps (which must be used with a spermicide), and vaginal sponges (contains spermicide). I understand that at least 1 of my 2 methods of birth control must be a primary method.

INITIAL: ___________

I will talk with my prescriber about any medicines or dietary supplements I plan to take while taking SORIATANE because certain birth control methods may not work if I am taking certain medicines or herbal products (for example, St. John’s wort).

INITIAL: ___________

Unless I have had a hysterectomy or my prescriber says I have gone completely through menopause, I understand that I must have 2 negative pregnancy test results before I can get a prescription to start SORIATANE. I understand that if the second pregnancy test is negative, I must start taking my SORIATANE within 7 days of the specimen collection. I will then have pregnancy tests on a monthly basis during therapy with SORIATANE as instructed by my prescriber. In addition, for at least 3 years after I stop taking SORIATANE, I will have a pregnancy test every 3 months.

INITIAL: ___________

I understand that I should not start taking SORIATANE until I am sure that I am not pregnant and have negative results from 2 pregnancy tests.

INITIAL: ___________

I have received information on emergency contraception (birth control), including information on its availability over-the-counter.

INITIAL: ___________

I understand that my prescriber can give me a referral for a free contraception (birth control) counseling session and pregnancy testing.

INITIAL: ___________

I understand that on a monthly basis during therapy with SORIATANE and every 3 months for at least 3 years after stopping SORIATANE that I should receive counseling from my prescriber about contraception (birth control) and behaviors associated with an increased risk of pregnancy.

INITIAL: ___________

I understand that I must stop taking SORIATANE right away and call my prescriber if I get pregnant, miss my menstrual period, stop using birth control, or have sexual intercourse without using my 2 birth control methods during and at least 3 years after stopping SORIATANE.

INITIAL: ___________

If I do become pregnant while on SORIATANE or at any time within 3 years of stopping SORIATANE, I understand that I should report my pregnancy to Stiefel at 1-888-784-3335 (1888-STIEFEL) or to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) MedWatch program at 1-800FDA-1088. The information I share will be kept confidential (private) unless disclosure is legally required. This will help the company and the FDA evaluate the pregnancy prevention program to prevent birth defects.

INITIAL: ___________

I have received a copy of the Do Your P.A.R.T. brochure. My prescriber has answered all my questions about SORIATANE. I understand that it is my responsibility to follow my doctor’s instructions, and not to get pregnant during treatment with SORIATANE or for at least 3 years after I stop taking SORIATANE.

I now authorize my prescriber, ______________________________________________________, to begin my treatment with SORIATANE.

_________________________________________________, the nature and purpose of the treatment described above and the risks to females of childbearing potential. I have asked the patient if she has any questions regarding her treatment with SORIATANE and have answered those questions to the best of my ability.